X-rays weeks after cruciate surgery?

[Lauraback]

Hi all my dog had cruciate surgery 5 weeks ago and has had her check ups with my usual vets after 10 days and after 4 weeks with the specialist vet surgeon who is very happy with her progress. Specialist vet said I need to take her to my usual vets after another 4 weeks for another set of X-rays to check all is well! Is this usual practice these days ? My first dog years ago didn’t need to go for another round of GA and X-rays weeks after cruciate surgery. It feels a little over the top? And more expense my insurers won’t pay for. If it’s needed obviously I’ll take her. Please can you share your thoughts thank you I had spine surgery 7 weeks ago for a lumbar decompression and yes I’ll be seeing the consultant to check on progress but I’m not due to have another MRI so why does my dog need more X-rays? Am I missing something thank you

 

[nagblagger]

My dog had to go back for 'check xrays' but at the specialist vet not my own and it was all in the original cost.

 

[Lauraback]

Thank you Nagblagger good to know! So my vets are doing it different then as I already had X-rays at my usual vets then at the specialist and now they want me to pay again at my own vets

 

[nagblagger]

Yes, mine only had the one post surgery x-rays.

 

[Poingsettia]

Only one follow up set for my dog too.

 

[Lauraback]

Only one follow up set for my dog too.

Thank you was this straight after the surgery or a few weeks later? Was there an additional cost ? Thank you

 

[KEK]

It is normal to have xrays 6-8w post op for TPLO (the common cruciate surgery these days ). This is to check the bone has healed and to check the implant/screws.

 

[Lauraback]

It is normal to have xrays 6-8w post op for TPLO (the common cruciate surgery these days ). This is to check the bone has healed and to check the implant/screws.

Thank you for the confirmation

 

[nagblagger]

Thank you was this straight after the surgery or a few weeks later? Was there an additional cost ? Thank you

I think my follow up was about 4-6 weeks post op, back at the specialist.

 

[Poingsettia]

I think my follow up was about 4-6 weeks post op, back at the specialist.

This. We lived near Inverness at the time, and the specialist was in east Fife, so a lot of travelling. Actually done by Padraig who used to work with the super vet !

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I don’t recall follow up x rays after Jake’s two TPLOs. I don’t think I would go to my normal vet for this, I’d go back to the specialist who operated on him. Interestingly, I just came across Mitch’s x rays from our usual vet when he first had a lameness issue-no problems found. Druid said you need a particular angle for the fissures related to HIF to be visible. We’ve been told to go back to the surgeon for follow up x rays.

 

[rara007]

Yes it’s normal and common to do at the GP though anywhere can do it. The GP sends the pictures on to the specialist if they do them.
The technique years ago didn’t involve metal implants, they’re checking that’s healed and there’s not been any movement or infection.

 

[fiwen30]

I think my follow up was about 4-6 weeks post op, back at the specialist.

Ours was the same, and included in the whole price.

 

[Prancerpoos]

My dog had a TPLO done on Feb 14 and had follow up x rays 6 weeks later with a final check up at 12 weeks.

As an aside - don’t underestimate how long it takes them to get back to full normality. My retriever still needs a lot of building up of muscle on the operated side and I am still only doing 40 minute max per session walks and not allowing any running around with other dogs although she has been off the lead for 4 weeks now. She has been doing hydro treadmill and sees a physiotherapist every couple of weeks. It’s a long process!

 

[Lauraback]

My dog had a TPLO done on Feb 14 and had follow up x rays 6 weeks later with a final check up at 12 weeks.

As an aside - don’t underestimate how long it takes them to get back to full normality. My retriever still needs a lot of building up of muscle on the operated side and I am still only doing 40 minute max per session walks and not allowing any running around with other dogs although she has been off the lead for 4 weeks now. She has been doing hydro treadmill and sees a physiotherapist every couple of weeks. It’s a long process!

Thank you Petalpoos